Tonga’s health officials are keeping their “eyes and ears open” as they closely monitor the spread of a new more contagious CoViD-19 variant in England and other countries.

Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said today they would closely study how this new variant evolves and adapt quickly to any new threat as it develops.

Apart from being highly infectious, Dr 'Aku'ola explained that we still do not have any detailed scientific information on the implications of this new mutated variant of CoViD-19.

“For a virus to mutate into a more contagious variant is a natural evolution of most viruses.”

The other information we need to know about, is whether this new variant causes more serious illness to the patient or is it evolving into a less virulent virus, he said.

Repatriation

To date, Tonga has only allowed direct repatriation of passengers from low risk countries such as New Zealand, Fiji, CoViD-19-free Pacific Islands, and Queensland in Australia and they “should still be safe”.

Dr ‘Akau’ola said the rest of the world, including the UK and countries which have CoViD-19 including this new variant, will still need to be quarantined for two weeks in a low risk country like Fiji or NZ before they can return to Tonga.

On arrival in Tonga, repatriates are required to be quarantined again for another two weeks followed by one week in home quarantine for added safety.

“In other words, we already have a secure system in place to prevent the introduction of CoViD-19, including the mutated variant, into Tonga,” he said. “I think it is working effectively in keeping Tonga CoViD-19 free so far.”

Plans for the next repatriation flight to Tonga will be confirmed over the next few weeks.